| ![Show Contents]() Happy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The name Happy belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived near one or more notable aspen trees. The surname Happy is derived from the Old English word æpse, which means aspen. The surname may also be a nickname in jest, for a timid person, referring to the trembling leaves of the tree. 1 However, one source notes that name may be "a genitive form of Ape or Appe; a personal name, ante [(before)]1066 [and in the] Domesday Book. " 2 Early Origins of the Happy familyThe surname Happy was first found in Huntingdonshire where the singular name Eppe was recorded c. 1250. A few years later, Roger Eppe was listed in Norfolk according to the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275. The name could have originated at Epps Farm in Bentley, Warwickshire. 3 Early History of the Happy familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Happy research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1307, 1327, 1524, 1534, 1604, 1628, 1658, 1779, 1787, 1805, 1815, 1823, 1833, 1845, 1869 and 1874 are included under the topic Early Happy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Happy Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Happy include Apps, Apse, Abbs, Abb, App, Apsey, Epps, Ebbs, Epsey, Epp and many more. Early Notables of the Happy familyMore information is included under the topic Early Happy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Happy familyThousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Happy were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Francis Eppes, who was on record in Virginia in 1625 with his three sons; Edward Abbs, who settled in Virginia in 1635; Edmond Apps who settled in Virginia in 1650.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Happy (post 1700) | + |
- John H. Happy (b. 1896), American Republican politician, Insurance business; Member of Washington State Senate 6th District, 1947 4
- J. H. Happy, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 1880, 1896 4
- Cyrus Happy, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Illinois, 1876 4
- Happy Fernandez, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1996 ; Candidate in primary for Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1999
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: In Te Domine Speravi
Motto Translation: In thee, O Lord, I have placed my hope.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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